Snorkeling in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

One of our cruise ports was St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. We have been there at least 4 times so we decided not to tour the city anymore. AJ wanted to go snorkeling so I signed up for that.

 

 

 My 2 sisters took my mother on a sky ride to go to the other side to see the city.

 Our excursion was not until later so AJ and I took pictures around the ship.

 And then it was time to go. AJ was so excited.

 They took us on a catamaran ride to get to the snorkeling site.

 Everybody had to wear a vest which we could either inflate or not. Mine was inflated of course, lol. I have a fear of deep water.

 AJ jumped in the water and encouraged me to do the same. Of course, at this time, I did not know there was actually a ladder to go down from the catamaran. So I followed her and jumped. I had no idea how deep the water was and when I found out, OMG, I got so nervous! One of my fins came off too after I jumped and AJ had to dive for it. I was holding on to AJ so tightly and she said I almost killed her, lol. After a while I was able to relax and got to go on my own, not wandering too far from the instructor and actually enjoyed the snorkel.

 

Too bad I forgot to bring my underwater camera cause there were colorful fish and reefs and we saw lots of sea turtles.

 

Drinks were unlimited on the catamaran. They had a mixed dink called "Pain Killer" with pineapple, coconut, rum, orange juice and something else and it was so good.

 It rained a lot along the way but who cares, we were going to be wet in the water anyway. Luckily there was no lighting nor thunder.

 Wouldn't you like to live there?

 After snorkeling, they took us to a beach in an island, called Honeymoon Beach.

 Lots of cacti.

 AJ swam while I just enjoyed the sand.

 It was an invigorating experience and I am glad we went and it saved me from spending too much in St. Thomas cause it is one of my favorite places to shop.

 

 

On our way back, the other people got so drunk and they were just partying and dancing. They played really loud music and it was fun to watch them.

 We took the cruise so we (all my brothers and sisters and other family members too) could spend some time with my mom who will be 96 this coming July. She was all smiles and just glowing during the cruise. We had a drawing and got a day to take care of her between all of us.

Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I am linking with some travel memes and I appreciate the hostesses.

Travel Tuesday

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The Tablescaper's Oh The Places I've Been

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Some Changes in Florida Living Room

My granddaughter, AJ and I just got back from a Western Caribbean cruise.

 We joined all my siblings and mom and my cousin from the Philippines with her son and daughter and her family. After the cruise, I was able to pass by our home in Florida and my cousin and her family came along and got to spend a few days with me. We had so much fun bonding and just chatting about pretty much everything. After they left, I started to redecorate the living room.

 

Next 2 photos were before the changes. I thought the painting above the sofa was a bit small especially with the high ceilings.

I found this pair of light tin plaques on Joss and Main and I thought they would go well with the rug that has round patterns on it. The colors coordinate with the rug, painting and pillows so well.

 At first, I thought the plaques were too long so I did not buy them when I first saw them listed on the on line store, but then, they were listed again just before I left Natchez. I decided to get them hoping they would arrive while I was here and I could see how they would look. Luckily they arrived yesterday. I figured I could always put them somewhere else, even on the back porch if they did not look good but I think they look ok here. What do you think?

 Another item that I just bought is the round ottoman above, which arrived just in time also, while I am here. I think it matches the little cabinet that I have near the dining room below.

 

 

 

Our Florida home is entirely different than our MS home. I enjoy decorating both of them in 2 different ways and I love them both so much. Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate the hostesses of all the memes that I join.
Susan's Metamorphosis Monday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
Kathryn's Before and After Wed.
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/
Paula's What's It Wed

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday

http://adelightsomelife.com

Anything Blue Friday
 http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Saturday Sparks Linky Party
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Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/
Cindy for Amaze Me Monday
http://dwellings-theheartofyourhome.blogspot.com
 Masterpiece Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com

 Marty's Inspire Me Tuesday
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/
Open House Party
 http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
It's a Party (Wed)
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com
Anything Goes Party (Fri)

http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

 

More Nest than Birds

I just posted another tablescape and then I visited Marigene's post and read that Kathleen is having a birds and nest challenge. I was out of the country so I was not aware of it. Anyway, I took my other tablescape back into a draft status and will post it next week,

 From the cruise, my cousin and her family and I drove to our FL home. My kids also went there. I called and instructed my son to buy me some groceries and cook for us. When we got home the food was already cooked but I had to set the table really fast cause everybody was hungry.

 

I guess the S & P shakers could either be identified as baby birds or fish, but for this table, let's just assume that they are birds, lol.

 There was no thinking here. I just pulled out whatever was easily accessible. It just so happened that I used the nest plate chargers that I bought from Sur La Table (or was it Wisteria? I can't even remember) and I think that should qualify this for the challenge.

 My son cooked some kind of a beef stew and my daughter in law made lasagna, which we all really enjoyed.

 We had salad and bread and an Italian dipping sauce.

 The plates are only melamine that I bought from Big Lots a long time ago and I really like the patterns and colors. Great for the back porch and for the kids' use.

 All my grandkids came to play with my cousin's twin grandkids but they were all too shy towards one another, lol.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I apologize for not preparing for this but as I mentioned earlier, I was out of the country, cruising on Western Caribbean. John did not even come along because AJ wanted to come so he gave his ticket to her.

 

Thanks to all the hostesses too!

 

 Centerpiece Wed

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Kathleen's Let's Dish

http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/